I wonder why... he almost win a wdc in a Jordan in 99', won a few podiums in 00' and a podium in 03'. Sounds to me like the mark of a wdc champ but why didn't he get selected by any of the top teams? I understand why Williams wouldn't wanna bring him up again, but what about Ferrari and McLaren? Why didn't Ferrari picked him instead of Rubens..

_________________Even the best of driverscrash, stay safe and be responsible!

for one thing i don't think him and schumi were in good terms personally. both germans but not got on well. stems from pre-F1 as far as i know.

Schuey stole his girlfriend & married her.

_________________Champions are made from something they have deep inside of them - a desire, a dream, a vision. They have last-minute stamina, they have to be a little faster, they have the skill & the will but the will must be stronger than the skill. Muhammad Ali

Because he blew it with Williams in 1997/98. By the end of 1999 McLaren were still happy with DC and Mika, Ferrari wanted Rubens after his impressive year with Stewart, Williams was a no go for obvious reasons and Benetton were on a decline anyway. Frentzen had nowhere to go. Given Jordan's form in 99 he probably didn't want to leave anyway.

HHF had a chance with Williams in 1997 and never challenged Jacques for the title.

Considering the number of mistakes Villeneuve made throughout the season and the points he threw away, Frentzen's season in a similar car was miserable despite him being the more experienced F1 driver. It's often been mentioned that Frentzen needed a more supportive role from the team in order to have confidence in himself and that's why he failed at Williams but succeeded at Jordan, but I don't know how much truth there's in it and if so how much effect did it have.

Also, I remember Villeneuve publicly complaining throughout the '97 season that Patrick Head didn't allow his drivers to set up the car the way they wanted, but had his own view about the setups that overruled the drivers' wishes. That handicap probably didn't help Frentzen either.

HHF had a chance with Williams in 1997 and never challenged Jacques for the title.

Considering the number of mistakes Villeneuve made throughout the season and the points he threw away, Frentzen's season in a similar car was miserable despite him being the more experienced F1 driver. It's often been mentioned that Frentzen needed a more supportive role from the team in order to have confidence in himself and that's why he failed at Williams but succeeded at Jordan, but I don't know how much truth there's in it and if so how much effect did it have.

Also, I remember Villeneuve publicly complaining throughout the '97 season that Patrick Head didn't allow his drivers to set up the car the way they wanted, but had his own view about the setups that overruled the drivers' wishes. That handicap probably didn't help Frentzen either.

That was EJ's theory too. He reckoned he extracted the best from HHF because of the nature of the team and the way he worked with his drivers.

Good topic IMO he falls into the category of driver like alesi,couldhard,panis,trulli all very underrated drivers but can perform in right car and circumstance. In 1998 after 12 months settle time he was quicker than Jacques and showed his raw pace in the Jordan aswel if he kept his cool and Jordan didn't oust him at end of 2001 his career might have been more promising the best things I remember of Heinz was his terrific pole lap at nurburgring in 1999 and his pole lap in Monaco 1997 even tho schumi out foxed em all he knew the rain was comin to ruin Heinz and Williams day getting ready for the 1:58 sec gap at the finish to rubens

HHF had a chance with Williams in 1997 and never challenged Jacques for the title.

Considering the number of mistakes Villeneuve made throughout the season and the points he threw away, Frentzen's season in a similar car was miserable despite him being the more experienced F1 driver. It's often been mentioned that Frentzen needed a more supportive role from the team in order to have confidence in himself and that's why he failed at Williams but succeeded at Jordan, but I don't know how much truth there's in it and if so how much effect did it have.

Also, I remember Villeneuve publicly complaining throughout the '97 season that Patrick Head didn't allow his drivers to set up the car the way they wanted, but had his own view about the setups that overruled the drivers' wishes. That handicap probably didn't help Frentzen either.

That was EJ's theory too. He reckoned he extracted the best from HHF because of the nature of the team and the way he worked with his drivers.

I've also heard from people here that Jaques was playing mind game with HHF and that also probably made his season worse though I can't be sure though. It seems to me clear now as to why he didn't get picked by top teams. Sad really,

_________________Even the best of driverscrash, stay safe and be responsible!

HHF had a chance with Williams in 1997 and never challenged Jacques for the title.

Considering the number of mistakes Villeneuve made throughout the season and the points he threw away, Frentzen's season in a similar car was miserable despite him being the more experienced F1 driver. It's often been mentioned that Frentzen needed a more supportive role from the team in order to have confidence in himself and that's why he failed at Williams but succeeded at Jordan, but I don't know how much truth there's in it and if so how much effect did it have.

Also, I remember Villeneuve publicly complaining throughout the '97 season that Patrick Head didn't allow his drivers to set up the car the way they wanted, but had his own view about the setups that overruled the drivers' wishes. That handicap probably didn't help Frentzen either.

That was EJ's theory too. He reckoned he extracted the best from HHF because of the nature of the team and the way he worked with his drivers.

I've also heard from people here that Jaques was playing mind game with HHF and that also probably made his season worse though I can't be sure though. It seems to me clear now as to why he didn't get picked by top teams. Sad really,

Yes Jacques did play mind games but if you're a top tier driver you'll still perform to your ability

However, from what I remember reading, they started dating a few months after her breakup with HHF.

May be, but I recall reading in an F1 yearbook (96 or 97) under the heading 'don't mention' for each driver, HHF's was "losing his girlfriend Corrina to Michael Schumacher". It could have been an interesting fact, but read like he was still very bitter about it.

As for his ability, well he was part of the Hill-Villeneuve-Frentzen-Ralf chain that drove in cars that flattered them. At Williams both Hill and Villneuve won WDCs when the car was easily the best. At Jordan, Hill partnered Frentzen and Ralf. All didn't shine much elsewhere.

I remember at Sauber he was highly rated, ala Heidfeld, but never truly lived up to the promise.

_________________"We can not drive slower, just to make the races more exciting." Alain Prost

As for his ability, well he was part of the Hill-Villeneuve-Frentzen-Ralf chain that drove in cars that flattered them. At Williams both Hill and Villneuve won WDCs when the car was easily the best. At Jordan, Hill partnered Frentzen and Ralf. All didn't shine much elsewhere.

Hill did some pretty good stuff in the Arrows. I'll never forget Hungary '97. How angry I was when that car broke down.In '98 he did pretty well compared to his teammate in the Jordan.

_________________Proud member of the "It's Toro Rosso, not Torro Rosso" action committee.

I think he was mentally not that strong. The mind games of JV at Williams made him look pretty pale during those 2 seasons. Rubens had a a bit of the same once he was teamed up with Schumi at Ferrari. I guess that gf thing also played a part. Even if they already broke up before Corinna went to date Schumi, it still sounds that the latter went for someone more successful than HHF. And that's a bitter pill to swallow.

As for his ability, well he was part of the Hill-Villeneuve-Frentzen-Ralf chain that drove in cars that flattered them. At Williams both Hill and Villneuve won WDCs when the car was easily the best. At Jordan, Hill partnered Frentzen and Ralf. All didn't shine much elsewhere.

Hill did some pretty good stuff in the Arrows. I'll never forget Hungary '97. How angry I was when that car broke down.In '98 he did pretty well compared to his teammate in the Jordan.

Don't get me wrong, all three are good drivers, it's just questionable if they'd have won races or WDCs in less competitive cars.

_________________"We can not drive slower, just to make the races more exciting." Alain Prost

I thought I remember reading somewhere that HHF was the "golden boy" of German auto racers a d he was supposed to be what MS turned out to be. Somewhere along the line MS got a drive over him or did something to beat him and the rest is history.

However, from what I remember reading, they started dating a few months after her breakup with HHF.

May be, but I recall reading in an F1 yearbook (96 or 97) under the heading 'don't mention' for each driver, HHF's was "losing his girlfriend Corrina to Michael Schumacher". It could have been an interesting fact, but read like he was still very bitter about it.

As for his ability, well he was part of the Hill-Villeneuve-Frentzen-Ralf chain that drove in cars that flattered them. At Williams both Hill and Villneuve won WDCs when the car was easily the best. At Jordan, Hill partnered Frentzen and Ralf. All didn't shine much elsewhere.

I remember at Sauber he was highly rated, ala Heidfeld, but never truly lived up to the promise.

Well is it true that HHF did not get the Williams to his liking in 97 and 98? At least that is what I have heard in the past, not trying to create excuses for Frentzen. The reason I think they were able to thrive at Williams is because both drivers were on quite equal terms and maybe the development of the cars would give the drivers to give the most out of their own individual packages. Jordan was a nice place to thrive and develop.

Who knows? I wish we did know more about what went on behind the scenes during this time because HHF was not the most mentally strong driver. As quick as the man was. It gives an idea of what the right environment can do to a driver. Williams is not known for being supportive of drivers completely and maybe it did not fit HHF. Jordan could have been more "hands on" with their drivers to ensure both can perform at their best. Look at 1999 for Frentzen from a 2nd driver to a WDC contender... I think it depends on the team for the driver.

The rumor I heard - and I stress it was a rumor - for the sudden Jordan departure goes along the lines of HHF and EJ had an argument. HHF wanted the team to move in a certain direction, which involved spending money. EJ didn't want to spend the cash and told HHF that his sponsors needed to pay more. HHF and his sponsors refused, EJ threatened to stop paying HHF, HHF threatened to take away his sponsorship and EJ fired him for 'poor performance'. All quite nasty which didn't get settled until it went to court.

As for his ability, well he was part of the Hill-Villeneuve-Frentzen-Ralf chain that drove in cars that flattered them. At Williams both Hill and Villneuve won WDCs when the car was easily the best. At Jordan, Hill partnered Frentzen and Ralf. All didn't shine much elsewhere.

Hill did some pretty good stuff in the Arrows. I'll never forget Hungary '97. How angry I was when that car broke down.In '98 he did pretty well compared to his teammate in the Jordan.

Don't get me wrong, all three are good drivers, it's just questionable if they'd have won races or WDCs in less competitive cars.

Just wondering if you saw the 1997 season as it happened?

Hill in the arrows went from a car that nearly failed to qualify in the first race to nearly winning in Hungary and should have had pole in Jerez but for a spinner on the last corner bringing out the yellow flags meaning Damon had to lift and lost pole by thousandths of a second!

It is just the perspective. Schumy is sitting further back in the room, hence his head looks smaller. Note Corinna's head is quite gigantic compared to the other two - worry not, she is just sitting closer to the camera.

I think its probaby been pointed out already that Frentzen got his big chance with Williams when they had the best car, it could well be that he became a victim of the mind games of Villenueve but he was a disappointment similar to Kovallainen at McLaren

The rumor I heard - and I stress it was a rumor - for the sudden Jordan departure goes along the lines of HHF and EJ had an argument. HHF wanted the team to move in a certain direction, which involved spending money. EJ didn't want to spend the cash and told HHF that his sponsors needed to pay more. HHF and his sponsors refused, EJ threatened to stop paying HHF, HHF threatened to take away his sponsorship and EJ fired him for 'poor performance'. All quite nasty which didn't get settled until it went to court.

I heard something about this too but it came out of Trulli's mouth:

" The money was there. Where did it all go"

The other rumor was with Honda. The only way Jordan was going to keep the Honda engines was to give Sato a seat. So HHF was the odd man out.